Taverns... The information source

Jai1 · 02-13-2007, 08:12 PM

I don't see the zones boards... so I'm posting this here:

I was playing one of my lower levels and was wanting to do EoF content. The game is getting bigger and I don't neccesarily know places of interest in the new expansion for lower levels. I was thinking where could I find this out in game? The only thing I could come up with was taking a higher level through the zones and check content. If I was a true low level(20ish) I would not be urged to go to EoF and would probably stick to the zones in proximity. I had another idea and wanted to pass it around.

How about making taverns and bars THE place to hear the latest on interesting content or maybe even hints on quests. So a lvl 20 goes into their local tavern and asks the Bartender where they can find adventure?(The interactions would have to be well thought out and be lvl appropriate) So the bartender tells the FP adventurer about Fallen Gates. Maybe a little history and a general location.

Most of us take this info for granted because we have played since release and know ALL of the content there is. I only thought it would be of use when I didn't know where in EoF you could go. Maybe the dialog could be as, tell me about Commonlands, Tell me about Butcherblock. I don't see this as something vets would be interested but new players might not come across FG in their general travels. It's kinda hidden. So the bartender can talk about dungeons and stuffs. Other people in the bar could talk about creatures, bosses or zones. The information would all be level appropriate and dynamic like the general goods merchants.

I'm not saying lay it all out from the bar. Just make taverns useful as a bar would be in fantasy, which is an information source and quest started location. Maybe have fed ex quests where the bartender says,"I know FG is in the canyons of CLs but I forgot exactly where. "Can you bring me some moss off the door?" Which only requires the player to zone in and return. But this makes SURE they know where that dungeon is so they don't miss content.

I also would like in game quest helpers. Why not at the bar? Make the interaction dynamic where the bartender says,"I'm sorry I can't help you but Ralphie comes in around 2pm usually,","ask him when he gets here. So have the patrons get in on the storyline. Sometimes, even straight out of Ogaming, the quests can be vague. Also some people don't do spoilers and would love an alternate in-game source for hints.

So I think it would be cool to have the bars as a goto location for level appropriate content help and quest specific helpers. Sure, not all content or not all quests would have to be covered. I also know this is probably a lot of work to just being helpful to the players but even I could come up with a dialog tree and basic interactions which would inform of destinations in the game for new players.

Slapfish · 02-13-2007, 08:18 PM

You know, that's actually an idea I've had for some time that I thought would make a nice addition to the game. Back when I played EQ the cities were completely emptly zones and I thought something like that would give people more of a reason to spend time in them. I still think it's a good idea, I'm just not sure how it would be implemented. IMO it's a great idea. I think it would create and added level of immersion and realism to the game and give people a reason to hang out in the taverns.

Devout Disciple · 02-14-2007, 01:42 AM

Jai1 wrote:

I don't see the zones boards... so I'm posting this here:
I was playing one of my lower levels and was wanting to do EoF content. The game is getting bigger and I don't neccesarily know places of interest in the new expansion for lower levels. I was thinking where could I find this out in game? The only thing I could come up with was taking a higher level through the zones and check content. If I was a true low level(20ish) I would not be urged to go to EoF and would probably stick to the zones in proximity. I had another idea and wanted to pass it around.
How about making taverns and bars THE place to hear the latest on interesting content or maybe even hints on quests. So a lvl 20 goes into their local tavern and asks the Bartender where they can find adventure?(The interactions would have to be well thought out and be lvl appropriate) So the bartender tells the FP adventurer about Fallen Gates. Maybe a little history and a general location.

I have to say this is a feature I absolutely liked about WoW when they put it in. You'd ask the npc at the tavern what you could adventure at and they'd tell you about the Stockades and Blackfathom Deeps dungeon.

The graphics are so well done in EQ2 and I like to see the tavern become the focal point of social interaction. Perhaps one day Sony will implement the idea you speak of and the day shall come to pass.

Shiverr · 02-14-2007, 01:59 AM

This, simply, is a good idea.

Cyllus · 02-14-2007, 03:41 PM

Good idea

!

Windowlicker · 02-14-2007, 03:50 PM

It would be pretty nice providing it was implemented correctly.

Levatino · 02-15-2007, 07:32 AM

I like this idea, good idea.

Norrsken · 02-15-2007, 07:34 AM

Good idea.

Another thing to make tavens more visited is to implement something like the wounds system from SWG. And of course, slurred peak when drunk, and sitting in chairs. (And more than that horrible dance)

Selfea · 02-15-2007, 09:05 AM

This is an awesome idea. Even vets who play an evil/good character for the first time would find this helpful. It could also be useful to help direct players to level-appropriate HQ's or even vendors. Be awesome if an NPC could notice that your gear was grey and suggest somewhere for you to upgrade it. So much could be done with something like this, be restricted only by dev's imagination/time/resources.

DizzyGee · 02-15-2007, 10:48 AM

Wonderful idea! SMILEY

gi · 02-15-2007, 11:07 AM

/signed .

Nice idea omni

Jai1 · 02-15-2007, 02:45 PM

I really didn't know WoW put in something like this. Maybe it has a better shot of getting into EQ2. I think it would be helpful.

ChildofHate · 02-15-2007, 03:01 PM

+1 (more) for this being a good... no, strike that... Great idea! I also think that the taverns could (should?) be treated as separate instance zones. I was a part of the LotR beta and that was one thing i thought was a good idea, making taverns be their own zones. I should think this would allow them to be more immersive, functional and fun!

I wasn't overly impressed with LotR as a whole from what i experienced but i did think this was an interesting feature. Maybe this isn't something that's necessary to accomplish the goal stated by the OP but considering that player housing is handled as a separate zone, why not taverns.

Anywho, most impressive suggestion. kudos.

mellowknees72 · 02-15-2007, 03:10 PM

This is an AWESOME idea.

One of the things I really like about The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion is that some NPCs will give you little details about places you can go - you might talk to one guy and he'll say "Hey, if it's goblins you're after, check out this mine to the east of town..." and then you get that spot added to your map.

It would be cool if you could talk with NPCs in town and they could at least give you a general description of where you can go in the area. If you're way over level for the content of the zone, the NPC might say something like "Wow! A real battle-hardened hero like you really ought to go and test your mettle in ____. Go talk to my brother over there; he'll have a job for you!" Or if you were way under level, the NPC could warn you away from the area, and tell you "You might think about going back to ___ until you have a little more experience. I'm afraid the orcs/goblins/whatever around here will make mincemeat of you!"

To expand on this idea, there could even be NPCs that wouldn't want to talk to you in the taverns, but maybe if you hung around for a while, you might overhear them talking with another NPC about a certain sweet spot for treasure, or maybe a named mob that scared them...little hints that might lead a player to something undiscovered.

Sebastien · 02-15-2007, 03:13 PM

I think OP makes an exceptional suggestion. Great thinking.

I might add: be sure to have mail and/or broker services near/in the tavern, and you just might accomplish the goal of having taverns become bona-fide social hubs in the game.

dartie · 02-15-2007, 03:27 PM

Like everyone else, I think this is a great idea.

I also think the devs might want to tie the information to the purchase of beverages. For example, the only person who can give you a certain quest is that sullen guy drinking alone in the corner. He'll talk to you and give you quests, but only if you purchase certain high-priced beverages for him. (I'm not calling this my own idea, as I've seen it in other games going waaaaaay back, but I do think it's a good way for the game to dispense level-appropriate quests. If you can't afford to purchase an Orcish Carbomb, then you can't get the guy in the corner to tell you about his problem, which leads to a quest, etc.)

Voidd · 02-15-2007, 10:22 PM

Fantastic idea! I've always thought that more information like this should be available "in-game". If anyone has played "Sid Meir's Pirates" , that game has a tavern-setup that would work SMILEY

A waitress who knows the local gossip (maybe where a named has been spotted) A shady character who knows something about treasure (starts a quest line) A bartender who has general information (some rough descriptions of points of interest in the area, which will lead us deeper into the lore). Man that would be fun, and every town/ area that merits a tavern could be well served by these NPCs! *adds this to his personal wishlist. May Quellious be with you, Lord Voidd, Paragon of Truth Comitis Fidelis

02-14-2007, 01:42 AM	#3
Devout Disciple Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 83	Jai1 wrote: I don't see the zones boards... so I'm posting this here: I was playing one of my lower levels and was wanting to do EoF content. The game is getting bigger and I don't neccesarily know places of interest in the new expansion for lower levels. I was thinking where could I find this out in game? The only thing I could come up with was taking a higher level through the zones and check content. If I was a true low level(20ish) I would not be urged to go to EoF and would probably stick to the zones in proximity. I had another idea and wanted to pass it around. How about making taverns and bars THE place to hear the latest on interesting content or maybe even hints on quests. So a lvl 20 goes into their local tavern and asks the Bartender where they can find adventure?(The interactions would have to be well thought out and be lvl appropriate) So the bartender tells the FP adventurer about Fallen Gates. Maybe a little history and a general location. I have to say this is a feature I absolutely liked about WoW when they put it in. You'd ask the npc at the tavern what you could adventure at and they'd tell you about the Stockades and Blackfathom Deeps dungeon. The graphics are so well done in EQ2 and I like to see the tavern become the focal point of social interaction. Perhaps one day Sony will implement the idea you speak of and the day shall come to pass.

02-14-2007, 01:59 AM	#4
Shiverr Loremaster Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 282	This, simply, is a good idea. __________________ Tanx and Scouts

02-14-2007, 03:41 PM	#5
Cyllus Loremaster Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 38	Good idea ! __________________ BB-39

02-14-2007, 03:50 PM	#6
Windowlicker Loremaster Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,257	It would be pretty nice providing it was implemented correctly. __________________ -------------------------- Rikko - 80 Berserker Zahne - 80 Warlock

02-15-2007, 07:32 AM	#7
Levatino Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,285	I like this idea, good idea. __________________

02-13-2007, 08:12 PM	#1
Jai1 Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 618	I don't see the zones boards... so I'm posting this here: I was playing one of my lower levels and was wanting to do EoF content. The game is getting bigger and I don't neccesarily know places of interest in the new expansion for lower levels. I was thinking where could I find this out in game? The only thing I could come up with was taking a higher level through the zones and check content. If I was a true low level(20ish) I would not be urged to go to EoF and would probably stick to the zones in proximity. I had another idea and wanted to pass it around. How about making taverns and bars THE place to hear the latest on interesting content or maybe even hints on quests. So a lvl 20 goes into their local tavern and asks the Bartender where they can find adventure?(The interactions would have to be well thought out and be lvl appropriate) So the bartender tells the FP adventurer about Fallen Gates. Maybe a little history and a general location. Most of us take this info for granted because we have played since release and know ALL of the content there is. I only thought it would be of use when I didn't know where in EoF you could go. Maybe the dialog could be as, tell me about Commonlands, Tell me about Butcherblock. I don't see this as something vets would be interested but new players might not come across FG in their general travels. It's kinda hidden. So the bartender can talk about dungeons and stuffs. Other people in the bar could talk about creatures, bosses or zones. The information would all be level appropriate and dynamic like the general goods merchants. I'm not saying lay it all out from the bar. Just make taverns useful as a bar would be in fantasy, which is an information source and quest started location. Maybe have fed ex quests where the bartender says,"I know FG is in the canyons of CLs but I forgot exactly where. "Can you bring me some moss off the door?" Which only requires the player to zone in and return. But this makes SURE they know where that dungeon is so they don't miss content. I also would like in game quest helpers. Why not at the bar? Make the interaction dynamic where the bartender says,"I'm sorry I can't help you but Ralphie comes in around 2pm usually,","ask him when he gets here. So have the patrons get in on the storyline. Sometimes, even straight out of Ogaming, the quests can be vague. Also some people don't do spoilers and would love an alternate in-game source for hints. So I think it would be cool to have the bars as a goto location for level appropriate content help and quest specific helpers. Sure, not all content or not all quests would have to be covered. I also know this is probably a lot of work to just being helpful to the players but even I could come up with a dialog tree and basic interactions which would inform of destinations in the game for new players.

02-13-2007, 08:18 PM	#2
Slapfish Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 166	You know, that's actually an idea I've had for some time that I thought would make a nice addition to the game. Back when I played EQ the cities were completely emptly zones and I thought something like that would give people more of a reason to spend time in them. I still think it's a good idea, I'm just not sure how it would be implemented. IMO it's a great idea. I think it would create and added level of immersion and realism to the game and give people a reason to hang out in the taverns.

02-15-2007, 07:34 AM	#8
Norrsken Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,450	Good idea. Another thing to make tavens more visited is to implement something like the wounds system from SWG. And of course, slurred peak when drunk, and sitting in chairs. (And more than that horrible dance) __________________

02-15-2007, 09:05 AM	#9
Selfea Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 40	This is an awesome idea. Even vets who play an evil/good character for the first time would find this helpful. It could also be useful to help direct players to level-appropriate HQ's or even vendors. Be awesome if an NPC could notice that your gear was grey and suggest somewhere for you to upgrade it. So much could be done with something like this, be restricted only by dev's imagination/time/resources. __________________

02-15-2007, 10:48 AM	#10
DizzyGee Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 84	Wonderful idea!

02-15-2007, 11:07 AM	#11
gi General Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: 4 Walk of the Dead, Neriak. Posts: 328	/signed . Nice idea omni __________________ Check out my Epic Quest Blog!

02-15-2007, 02:45 PM	#12
Jai1 Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 618	I really didn't know WoW put in something like this. Maybe it has a better shot of getting into EQ2. I think it would be helpful.

02-15-2007, 03:01 PM	#13
ChildofHate Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 298	+1 (more) for this being a good... no, strike that... Great idea! I also think that the taverns could (should?) be treated as separate instance zones. I was a part of the LotR beta and that was one thing i thought was a good idea, making taverns be their own zones. I should think this would allow them to be more immersive, functional and fun! I wasn't overly impressed with LotR as a whole from what i experienced but i did think this was an interesting feature. Maybe this isn't something that's necessary to accomplish the goal stated by the OP but considering that player housing is handled as a separate zone, why not taverns. Anywho, most impressive suggestion. kudos.

02-15-2007, 03:10 PM	#14
mellowknees72 Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Your Dad's House Posts: 779	This is an AWESOME idea. One of the things I really like about The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion is that some NPCs will give you little details about places you can go - you might talk to one guy and he'll say "Hey, if it's goblins you're after, check out this mine to the east of town..." and then you get that spot added to your map. It would be cool if you could talk with NPCs in town and they could at least give you a general description of where you can go in the area. If you're way over level for the content of the zone, the NPC might say something like "Wow! A real battle-hardened hero like you really ought to go and test your mettle in ____. Go talk to my brother over there; he'll have a job for you!" Or if you were way under level, the NPC could warn you away from the area, and tell you "You might think about going back to ___ until you have a little more experience. I'm afraid the orcs/goblins/whatever around here will make mincemeat of you!" To expand on this idea, there could even be NPCs that wouldn't want to talk to you in the taverns, but maybe if you hung around for a while, you might overhear them talking with another NPC about a certain sweet spot for treasure, or maybe a named mob that scared them...little hints that might lead a player to something undiscovered. __________________

02-15-2007, 03:13 PM	#15
Sebastien Tester Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 689	I think OP makes an exceptional suggestion. Great thinking. I might add: be sure to have mail and/or broker services near/in the tavern, and you just might accomplish the goal of having taverns become bona-fide social hubs in the game. __________________ My latest character is not in the database yet. Returning Player & Forum Critic

02-15-2007, 03:27 PM	#16
dartie Lord Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 354	Like everyone else, I think this is a great idea. I also think the devs might want to tie the information to the purchase of beverages. For example, the only person who can give you a certain quest is that sullen guy drinking alone in the corner. He'll talk to you and give you quests, but only if you purchase certain high-priced beverages for him. (I'm not calling this my own idea, as I've seen it in other games going waaaaaay back, but I do think it's a good way for the game to dispense level-appropriate quests. If you can't afford to purchase an Orcish Carbomb, then you can't get the guy in the corner to tell you about his problem, which leads to a quest, etc.)

02-15-2007, 10:22 PM	#17
Voidd Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6	Fantastic idea! I've always thought that more information like this should be available "in-game". If anyone has played "Sid Meir's Pirates" , that game has a tavern-setup that would work A waitress who knows the local gossip (maybe where a named has been spotted) A shady character who knows something about treasure (starts a quest line) A bartender who has general information (some rough descriptions of points of interest in the area, which will lead us deeper into the lore). Man that would be fun, and every town/ area that merits a tavern could be well served by these NPCs! *adds this to his personal wishlist. May Quellious be with you, Lord Voidd, Paragon of Truth Comitis Fidelis